adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Adizero Boston 13

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

adidas Adizero Boston 12
adidas Adizero Boston 13

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 21, 2025 07:30 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 27, 2025 04:34 PM

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Adidas.com

Our Verdict

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Boston 13

The adidas Adizero Boston 13 and adidas Adizero Boston 12 are close siblings, but the 13 refines the formula in ways that make it more approachable and enjoyable for a broader range of runners. Both share the same fundamental super trainer DNA (a dual-density midsole with Lightstrike Pro on top and a stabilizing Lightstrike carrier underneath, combined with the ENERGYRODS), but the Boston 13 brings notable updates that smooth out the ride. The combination of improved energy return and a more accommodating fit makes the Boston 13 feel less harsh and more fun to run in, especially when you're holding marathon pace. That said, the Boston 12 is a better option for those who have narrower feet or put ground feel at the top of their priority list.

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Variants

  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/White/Carbon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Blue Spark/Zero Metallic/Cobalt Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Cloud White/Aurora Met./Solar Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Cobalt Blue/Zero Metallic/Lucid Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Core Black/Cloud White/Carbon - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Dash Grey/Lucid Red/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Preloved Ink/Zero Metallic/Aurora Ink - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Sandy Pink/Aurora Met./Solar Red - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Silver Violet/Cloud White/Silver Daw - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (White/Dark Blue/Pure Ruby - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Black/Cloud White/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Chalk White/Gold Metallic/Orange Tint - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Black/Lucid Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Core Black/Lucid Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Core Black/Lucid Red - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Matte Silver/Dash Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Pure Teal/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Pure Teal/Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Core Black/Cloud White/Grey Five - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Flash Aqua/Cloud White/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Halo Silver/Silver Metallic/Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Lucid Blue/Lime Burst/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Lucid Lemon/Black/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Semi Flash Aqua/Zero Metalic/Lucid Lemon - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (White/Matte Silver/Dash Grey - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

6.8
7.2

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.2
6.7

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.0

Weight  

5.8
6.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.8
6.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

265.3 g (9.36 oz)
252.2 g (8.90 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.6 mm
35.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
29.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.7 mm
6.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.2")
83 mm (3.3")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
62 mm (2.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
122 mm (4.8")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.26
2.31

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.94
4.19
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

272 mm (10.7")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
63 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
97 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Fiberglass Rods
Carbon Fiber Rods
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.2
6.7

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

70.8%
75.1%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.8%
80.8%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

6.1
5.9

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.70 J
2.76 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.81 J
7.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.87 J
13.09 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.7
6.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.95 J
4.14 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.26 J
7.08 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.02 J
10.17 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
6.8

Heel Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

64.5 N/mm
65.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

123.6 N/mm
133.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

257.1 N/mm
299.2 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.2
8.7

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

113.4 N/mm
120.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

217.7 N/mm
257.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

427.8 N/mm
541.9 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.12 J

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Boston 13

Comments

  1. Comparison

adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs adidas Adizero Boston 13: Main Discussion

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